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2007 Formula One Thread
- Thread starter R.Youden
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Worst. Idea. Ever. Ten years?! Are they expecting the entire engineering world to freeze with them or something? In other (future) news; nobody cares about F1.
To me, the essential element of Formula One is the fact that it brings bleeding-edge technology out to the racecourse and puts said tech into the hands of the world's best drivers. By removing the element of constant technological development, you are ripping the heart out of the sport.
Agreed. And one of the big things for manufacturers is the development (and kudos, of course) that is derived from being in the sport.
While it may seem preemptive to say so without knowing how much of an engine can change, this development seems like a complete disaster for F1.
This is something I have been thinking about for a while:
From a personal point of view, having worked, and hopefully to work in F1 again, it is a shame that technology is being removed from the sport. However there are still plenty of areas where teams can push the boundaries of technology. What the FIA wants is for technology developments within F1 to be related to "real-world" scenarios. Areas such as crash testing and the idea of survival cells have had a massive impact on road car safety. One area that a lot of teams are investing money in is to develop more cost effective carbon composite manufacturing techniques, something which could have a huge advantage to road car manufacturers and the environment. Now engine development, how much of that ever gets into road cars? Very little, maybe the idea of making engines more efficient, but that is about it.
But from a sporting point of view I don't think that making the cars 'slower' is a bad thing. I would rather see cars with less grip go 5-seconds a lap slower if improves racing. I think people are saying "oh reduction of technology is a bad thing" when they don't look at the big picture. In a way this secures the future of the series for a upto 10 years. The FIA wants more privateer teams in F1 and by freezing engine development then ensure that smaller teams can buy engines cheaper as the Honda, Renault, Toyota don't have to spend millions of pounds developing the engines.
i think this is a shrewd move by the FIA and I tentatively agree with it.
Similar boat to you and yes I agree totally. What F1 needs is "racing" not "following" or "pit stop passing" which is the way the sport has been going recently.
I can also speak from another side of the coin, as a driver. I have raced semi-pro in a lot of categories all the way up to Champ Car Barber Dodge and testing in Champ Car Atlantic. The racing in the US Champ Car series is second to none and something F1 would be wise to try and replicate. With the exception of Nascar which is huge, the Champ Car race for example at Surfers Paradise last weekend attracted 300,000 spectators over the weekend. F1 NEVER gets this many people at a race weekend, why, its too dam expensive and its not designed for the fans but is more for the sponsors.
I hope F1 does get better, esp with Lewis in it now, but if it doesn't there are always other series to watch.
Hold on a minutes, I am not saying Formula One should become Champ Car, hell no.
I think it is important that you have the definition of teams rather than the choice between two chassis and two engines. The question is, how much would the fans notice if the engines had 25 less bhp?
This also brings up the question, what if before the teams choose the engine for the freeze, they bring out an absolute dog of an engine, are they stuck with that for 10 years.
The thing that most people don't get is that building a car to go fast is pretty easy. Even making a car that can go round corners pretty quick isn't that hard. When the teams spend the millions of pounds per year on is making a car go quick within certain limitations. If they don't spend money on engines they will spend it on something else. You just need to look at the new wind-tunnels springing up around central England these days. The technology in them is world leading and is benefitting other industrial sectors. For example the knowledge from F1 is being used in road cars to make them more aerodynamic or therefore more fuel efficient.
So without the engine budget for each year they will now start investing in areas that have a REAL impact on road car manufacturing. That is, at the end of the day, why Honda, Toyota, Renault etc.. are involved in motorsport. What they learn from engine development will never go into road cars. A few years ago the FIA banned exotic materials from the engines, it was the manufacturers who pushed this idea because they didn't want to pay for it as there was not overall gain from it, but they had to develop it otherwise they would get left behind the likes of Ferrari and Toyota who didn't care if it was financially viable.
Some good points. Is the FIA still toying with the idea of spec aero packages, or is that dead?
I guess I'm automatically suspicious of attempts to freeze technology in Formula One, though if it improves the racing it would be hard to argue against it...I suppose we'll have to wait and see what happens.
I get the feeling that the Bernie wants to see more privateer teams, but he also wants them doing their own chassis and engines. it's going to be a tall order to get such teams truly competitive.
I guess I'm automatically suspicious of attempts to freeze technology in Formula One, though if it improves the racing it would be hard to argue against it...I suppose we'll have to wait and see what happens.
I get the feeling that the Bernie wants to see more privateer teams, but he also wants them doing their own chassis and engines. it's going to be a tall order to get such teams truly competitive.
I think his comments are a) taken out of context and have been skewed quite badly and b) mildly carry his dislike of Ron Dennis within.
A good angle for a news story. nothing more IMHO.
Who will fill that McLaren seat? My money is split between Nico Rosberg,
Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica.
More importantly possibly, where will Alonso go? I can see where he'll go.
Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica.
More importantly possibly, where will Alonso go? I can see where he'll go.
Kovalainen won't leave Renault. He is Flavio Briatore's Lewis Hamilton. If anyone looses their seat at Renault it'll be Fisichella.
I heard a whisper from a 'contact' that Freddie could be off to Red Bull. It would make sense for all parties. Red Bull are ploughing a lot of money into Formula One and it would be a massive challenge for Alonso, similar to the way Schumacher turned things around at Ferrari.
EDIT: Just seen that the BBC say he could be off to Red Bull too.
EDIT: Just seen that the BBC say he could be off to Red Bull too.
Well, Fred almost achieved the exact opposite during his brief stay at McLaren.
Red Bull has been mooted as a potential destination since Spa (Alonso spied in discussion with Red Bull bosses), I'm just praying he doesn't end up at Ferrari, the press release announcing Massa's contract extension was oddly worded to say the least.
Well, Fred almost achieved the exact opposite during his brief stay at McLaren.
Red Bull has been mooted as a potential destination since Spa (Alonso spied in discussion with Red Bull bosses), I'm just praying he doesn't end up at Ferrari, the press release announcing Massa's contract extension was oddly worded to say the least.
Fred for Ferrari!!!
That would be fantastic!
Max hates Ferrari.
Otherwise he wouldn't have kept changing the rules every season since 2000 to stop them (and Schumacher) winning.